Reflections and Worship

In this section you will find a number of biblical reflections on the theme of Hope, and other texts and images that may be of use in preparing worship related to the assembly theme. Please explore them using the menu on the left hand side of this page.

A cry for help

from Alphen a/d Rijn prison

In a dark and cold tunnel comes a voice of innocent peoplecrying for freedom and justice. Oh God, how long shall we wait for this to be down for we are becoming so weak and tired, because people outside this prisoncan hardly hear our voice.Hear us, o God, as we voice our complaint;protect our life from injustice and captivity,because our hope is in you all day long.Hear our cry for mercy as we call to You for help.As we lift up our hands towards Your most holy place. Touch, O God, the heart of good spiritual people to come for our rescue.Jail should be made for criminals, not for asylum people,who only ask for help.But in return we have been put to jailwith just a hot meal every daywithout any hope of when to be free.We human beings should learn to be sympathetic and to show love to anotherbecause that is the greatest command of God.One day we should be remembered not by how long we live, but how good we liveand how kind we are to people around us.In conclusion, let’s try to be kind to people we meet on our way up,not to use our position to oppress thembecause we might meet them on our way down.This is a parable to those in authority.